Rhea County School Bus Driver accused of driving while intoxicated with children on board

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Rhea County school bus driver is accused of driving under the influence with children on board.

Michael Ledbetter faces DUI, drug paraphernalia, and felony reckless endangerment charges.

Investigators with the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department say the incident happened around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. They say students contacted their parents, saying they smelled an intoxicant on the driver. Parents then called 911 and school officials.

After a field sobriety test, Ledbetter was taken to the hospital and then the Rhea County Jail.

Dr. Jerry Levengood, the Rhea County Director of Schools, says there were 27 students on the bus. He says the bus was going from Rhea Central Elementary School to Rhea County High School.

Dr. Levengood says Ledbetter was immediately terminated after the incident. He had been a bus driver in the district for less than a year, with no prior issues.

Ledbetter’s bond will be set by a judge on Thursday.